NOMAD
GUIDES.
What things cost and how to get around in your first weeks in Bali.
Bali essentials for your first weeks
What a meal costs, how to get around when it rains, which SIM or eSIM to pick, and how the E33G visa works.
What a meal costs
- Local warungs (small family-run eateries): ~$1.50 – $2.50 per meal.
- Western cafés & brunch: ~$4.50 – $8.00 per meal.
- Western dining & beach clubs: ~$11 – $20+ per meal.
Getting around
- Scooter rental: ~$4.00 – $5.50 per day, less by the month. Check the license and insurance requirements before you ride.
- Gojek / Grab Bike: ~$1.00 – $1.80 per short trip.
- GoCar / GrabCar: ~$4 – $8 per car trip. Handy on rainy days and for groups.
SIM card or eSIM
- Telkomsel: generally the widest 4G/5G coverage in Bali. A 25GB – 35GB tourist SIM or eSIM costs ~$10 – $18.
E33G remote worker visa (second home visa)
A limited-stay visa for people who work remotely for a company based outside Indonesia. Your stay is up to 1 year and can be extended online, and your re-entry permit lets you leave and come back while it is valid.
- Income: bank statements showing at least US$60,000 a year, plus an employment contract with a company incorporated outside Indonesia.
- Funds: the last 3 months of bank statements with a balance of at least US$2,000 (or equivalent).
- Documents: passport valid for at least 6 more months, a recent color photo, your CV and a travel itinerary.
- Fees for a 1-year stay: Rp 7,000,000 in total (visa Rp 500,000, verification Rp 2,000,000, stay permit Rp 3,000,000, re-entry permit Rp 1,500,000). That is about Rp 583,000 a month, or ~$33 in the calculator.
- How to apply: create an account at evisa.imigrasi.go.id and apply online. Processing takes five working days after payment, and no sponsor is needed. The visa must be used within 90 days of issue.
- Rules: do not overstay, and do not take on work that does not match your permit or sell goods or services in Indonesia beyond your remote job.
Source: Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration. Fees and rules change, so confirm on evisa.imigrasi.go.id before you apply.
Get your protection in place early.
Set up health cover alongside your visa, SIM and bank. Compare nomad insurance before you leave home or after you arrive, and read what the policy covers and excludes before you buy.
Bali essentials: FAQ
How much does a meal cost in Bali?
A meal at a local warung costs about $1.50 to $2.50, a Western cafe or brunch about $4.50 to $8.00, and Western dining or a beach club about $11 to $20 or more.
How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Bali?
About $4.00 to $5.50 per day, and less by the month. Check the license and insurance requirements before you ride. Gojek or Grab Bike costs about $1.00 to $1.80 for a short trip, and a GoCar or GrabCar about $4 to $8.
What is the E33G visa?
The E33G is a limited-stay remote worker visa for people employed by a company based outside Indonesia. It requires bank statements showing at least US$60,000 a year, an employment contract with a company incorporated outside Indonesia, and a balance of at least US$2,000 over the last 3 months. A 1-year stay costs about Rp 7,000,000 in fees in total. Confirm current rules on the official Indonesian immigration site before you apply.
Should I get a SIM card or an eSIM for Bali?
Telkomsel generally has the widest 4G and 5G coverage in Bali, and a 25GB to 35GB tourist SIM or eSIM costs about $10 to $18. An eSIM can be set up before you fly, as long as your phone supports eSIM.
When should I arrange travel insurance for Bali?
Health cover is best arranged alongside your visa, SIM and bank, either before you leave home or after you arrive. Nomad insurance is designed for people who travel and work remotely. Read what the policy covers and excludes before you buy.
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